Brooklyn, NY — Piki Poke & Ramen, a Japanese restaurant located at 147 Smith Street in Brooklyn, received a score of 37 following a health inspection conducted on January 8, 2026. The score places the establishment in Grade C territory, the lowest letter grade issued by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). Inspectors documented one critical violation related to food contamination protection during the visit.
Piki Poke & Ramen restaurant inspection" width="400" height="225" loading="eager" decoding="async" class="article-featured-image">What Inspectors Found
During the January 8 inspection, DOHMH inspectors cited Piki Poke & Ramen for a critical violation under code 06C. Specifically, the restaurant was found to have food, supplies, or equipment that were not adequately protected from potential sources of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, or service. The citation also noted that condiments were not provided in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.
This type of violation addresses the fundamental food safety requirement that all items intended for consumption or use in food preparation must be shielded from environmental contaminants, cross-contact with other substances, and unsanitary conditions. When food or supplies are left exposed or improperly stored, the risk of contamination from airborne particles, pests, cleaning chemicals, or other hazards increases.
No non-critical violations were recorded during this inspection.
Food Safety Context
The violation cited at Piki Poke & Ramen falls under provisions outlined in NYC Health Code Article 81, which governs food service establishment operations within the five boroughs. Article 81 requires that all food items be stored, prepared, and served under conditions that prevent contamination. These local requirements align with the FDA Food Code, which serves as the model framework for food safety regulation nationwide.
The FDA Food Code specifies that food must be protected from contamination by separating raw and ready-to-eat items, maintaining proper storage conditions, and ensuring that all serving methods minimize exposure to potential hazards. Condiment handling is specifically addressed, as shared or improperly dispensed condiments can serve as vectors for cross-contamination between customers.
A score of 37 points indicates that the conditions observed during inspection were sufficient to warrant a Grade C designation. While only one violation was recorded, the point value assigned reflects the severity classification of that violation within the DOHMH scoring framework. Critical violations carry higher point values because they represent conditions more likely to contribute to foodborne illness.
Inspection History
No prior inspection history is available for Piki Poke & Ramen in the DOHMH public database. The January 8, 2026 inspection appears to be the first recorded inspection for this establishment at this location.
It is worth noting that this inspection data was released by DOHMH on February 27, 2026, approximately seven weeks after the inspection was conducted. Conditions at the restaurant may have changed between the inspection date and the public release of these results.
Under the NYC restaurant grading system, establishments that receive a Grade C on an initial inspection have the opportunity to request a re-inspection. Restaurants may also contest their scores through an administrative tribunal process overseen by the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings.
Understanding NYC Restaurant Grades
The DOHMH assigns letter grades to restaurants based on the total violation points recorded during an inspection. The grading scale is as follows:
- Grade A: 0 to 13 points — The restaurant is in substantial compliance with food safety regulations
- Grade B: 14 to 27 points — The restaurant has moderate violations that require correction
- Grade C: 28 or more points — The restaurant has significant violations and may be subject to additional oversight
Piki Poke & Ramen's score of 37 places it in the Grade C category. Restaurants receiving a Grade C are required to post the grade card in a conspicuous location visible to the public, as mandated by local law.
Consumers can look up the latest inspection results for any New York City restaurant through the DOHMH restaurant inspection database, available online at the NYC Open Data portal. Inspection scores and grades are updated as new data is released and provide a useful reference point for evaluating food safety conditions at dining establishments throughout the city.
More About This Restaurant
View the full inspection history for Piki Poke & Ramen including all past inspections, violations, and grade changes.